Your Baby’s Sleep

A five-month-old baby may sleep for longer periods of time, like five to eight hours. But babies are individuals. Each baby has his own sleep patterns.

Babies are not always awake when they sound like they are. They can cry out and may make all kinds of noises in their sleep. Even if they wake up at night, babies may be awake for only a few minutes. They may fall asleep again on their own.

Don’t get up right away if you hear your baby at night. It’s best if your baby learns how to get back to sleep on his own. If your baby cries for several minutes, it’s time to respond. He could be hungry, wet, cold or even sick.

When you get up to take care of him, do it as quietly and quickly as you can. Don’t give him any extra stimulation. Don’t talk or play with him. Don’t even turn on the light. He needs to learn that night is for sleeping. Your baby doesn’t care what time it is, as long as he gets what he needs.